A FIRE which burnt 140 hectares at Quandong last week is believed to have been deliberately lit.
Police are investigating the blaze which broke out in Ballan Road about 4.30pm last Thursday, threatening one house.
They said it could be related to another fire which burnt 1400 hectares at Little River on January 14.
Last Thursday’s fire started in Ripley Road, near Ballan Road, and quickly spread towards Little River.
Werribee CFA first lieutenant Daryl Wells said the fire was difficult to control because of the rocky terrain.
About 20 CFA trucks attended, along with air cranes and teams from Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
Werribee’s Senior Sergeant Glenn Mayne said investigations into both fires were continuing. “We believe the two may be related.
“We ask anybody who sees any suspicious activity in the outer fringes of Wyndham, Little River, Lara or Bacchus Marsh to call Crime Stoppers immediately and alert police to what you know.”
Mr Wells said last week’s fire forced police to close Ballan Road for several hours, causing distress to residents.
“Fires like this cause anxiety in the community. It is a problem if you have got somebody going around lighting fires because people are being put in danger.”
Last Thursday’s fire began at the same time as another fire in Boundary Road, Derrimut.
Police said that fire was accidentally lit.
Mr Wells said it was extremely difficult for crews when multiple fires broke out at the same time.
